A framework for implementing robotic process automation projects

Robotic process automation is a disruptive technology to automate already digital yet manual tasks and subprocesses as well as whole business processes rapidly. In contrast to other process automation technologies, robotic process automation is lightweight and only accesses the presentation layer of IT systems to mimic human behavior. Due to the novelty of robotic process automation and the varying approaches when implementing the technology, there are reports that up to 50% of robotic process automation projects fail. To tackle this issue, we use a design science research approach to develop a framework for the implementation of robotic process automation projects. We analyzed 35 reports on real-life projects to derive a preliminary sequential model. Then, we performed multiple expert interviews and workshops to validate and refine our model. The result is a framework with variable stages that offers guidelines with enough flexibility to be applicable in complex and heterogeneous corporate environments as well as for small and medium-sized companies. It is structured by the three phases of initialization, implementation, and scaling. They comprise eleven stages relevant during a project and as a continuous cycle spanning individual projects. Together they structure how to manage knowledge and support processes for the execution of robotic process automation implementation projects.

     

Fractioned High Pressure Extraction of Anthocyanins from Elderberry (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sambucus nigra</Emphasis> L.) Pomace

Fractionated high pressure extractions from dry and in natura elderberry pomace were performed in order to obtain anthocyanin rich extracts. Experiments were carried out using CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction followed by enhanced solvent extraction (ESE) with CO₂/EtOH–H₂O mixtures (1–100%, v/v), to obtain anthocyanin rich fractions in the second step, at 313 K and ~20 MPa. Higher extract yields, anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities occurred by the presence of water, both in the raw material and in the solvent mixture. The CO₂ dissolved in the ESE solvent mixture favored either anthocyanin contents or antioxidant activities, which were not directly related. Comparing to the literature data for elderberries and grapes, these fractions had higher anthocyanins contents. From these results, an added economical value to this agroindustrial residue is proposed, using solvents and techniques “generally regarded as safe” in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

The Physical Influence Scheme applied to staggered unstructured grids for solving fluid flow problems

Abstract

In this article, a finite volume formulation for solving the Navier-Stokes equations using unstructured hybrid grids and a staggered arrangement of variable pressure and velocity is presented. In this manner, a tight spatial pressure-velocity coupling is ensured without compromising geometrical flexibility. A second contribution of this work lays upon proposing a suitable interpolation function for the convected velocities in the momentum equations. For this purpose, we employ the so-called “Physical Influence Scheme (PIS),” which fully incorporates all physical phenomena involved, namely convection, diffusion, and pressure effects. Each term corresponding to each physical phenomenon is carefully addressed. We present numerical experiments that show the suitability of the PIS for the staggered finite volume formulation and highlight the importance of including diffusion and pressure effects (in addition to convection) into the interpolation function.     

Helium purge flow prevention of atmospheric contamination of cryogenically cooled optics on orbiting infrared telescopes

The ability of a He purge gas to protect the cryogenically cooled optics of orbiting infrared telescopes from the primary atmospheric contaminant, atomic oxygen, can be estimated by calculations simulating the He-O scattering events that would occur in the operating telescope. This paper reports results of accurate quantum mechanical calculations of the He-O differential cross sections σ(θ, E) needed in such calculations. To facilitate the use of these cross sections, a simple separable function of E and θ is also given which provides an adequate representation of σ(θ, E) for the entire range of relative collision energies studied, E = 0.02?1.66 eV.     

Thermodegradative study of HDPE–HA nanocomposites: IKP and E 2 function

IKP and E ₂ function methods were used to study thermal stability of HDPE–HA nanocomposites synthesized by in situ ethylene polymerization at different volumes of solvent and temperatures. Thermal analysis was carried out at five different heating rates, β = 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13 °C/min, under N₂ atmosphere. Kinetics parameters calculated by IKP method presented a slight increase on activation energy when HA was incorporated in HDPE. A similar tendency was observed in the results obtained from the E ₂ function method, where the activation energy of the nanocomposites increased 100 kJ/mol with respect to unfilled polymer (420–460 kJ/mol). These results implied higher stability of HDPE due to HA incorporation. HDPE and HDPE–HA degradation mechanisms are represented by a set of functions, those with the highest probability were: nucleation and nucleus growth (S3) 23 %, reaction order (S5) 16 %, reaction in the interface (S6. S7, S8) 11–14 %, and potential law (S14, S17) 3 %.     

Incidence of familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 in cases of patients diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and Familial Defective Apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) are monogenic, autosome, dominantly inherited diseases appearing as type II/a primary hypercholesterolemia. The frequency of the heterozygositic forms is 1:700-1:500 in European population. Both forms of hypercholesterolemia causes early onset coronary heart diseases (CHD). According to the recommendations of the international MED-PED program (Make Early Diagnoses--Prevent Early Death), we found 73 FH cases and their 377 first relatives (parents, siblings, children) were also assessed. 156 patients were diagnosed clinically FH (131 alive and 25 deceased), and 31.8% of the males and 32.4% of females suffered from early onset CHD. One family with FH consists of 5.46 members on the average and there are 2.39 FH patients in one family. In our FH cohort four patients with FDB (R3500Q mutation) were diagnosed with allelspecific PCR, and the mutation was detectable also in 9 cases out of 11 living family members. The plasma total cholesterol level of the FDB patients--especially at younger age--was very close to the normal values, which is in contrast to the findings in FH patients. Nevertheless, FDB can be one of the independent causes of the early onset CHD. Therefore, in families with high frequency of cardiovascular diseases the R3500Q mutation has to be considered.     

Beitrag zur Milchstatistik 1912

Ohne ZusammenfassungMitteilung aus dem Hygienischen Institut der Universität Tübingen. (Vorstand: Prof. Dr. Kurt Wolf.)